Since the Government’s announcement of the abolition of Regional Development Agencies, we’ve been doing a huge amount of work surrounding the disposal of our assets at Yorkshire Forward.

This, of course, directly affects Bradford, as a result of strategic investments we’ve made here over the past decade.

It’s a sensitive area, and while we are limited in the approach we take, we are continuing to work to a final decision for each asset which is in the best interest of Bradford’s economy and those who live and work here.

After all, we came into existence to develop the region’s economy, and even as we ready ourselves for closure, we are still very much focused on this.

During our ten years we haven’t pleased everyone and, like every other regional organisation, we’ve had to respond to changing responsibilities and huge economic shocks.

However, in buying, managing and throughout the current disposal of our assets, we’ve provided a wider economic picture and a long-term economic vision – which I believe will pay dividends for this city long after we are gone.

We continue to collaborate closely with Bradford Council to ensure that the city’s developments continue wherever possible, and we are making good strides with this.

Lister Hills Student village is set for completion this autumn, and the City Park development is on track to complete well before the end of this year.

We’ve also seen work on the Heritage Streets at the heart of the city’s shopping offer complete in recent months, and what a transformation that has been!